“We’re nowhere near accomplishing what philanthropy is supposed to do.”
That’s a bold claim.
But bold claims are nothing new for a guy like Jim Langley.
His perspective on the state of philanthropy is profoundly colored by his deep understanding of world history and civilizations, his experience advising nonprofit organizations and leaders, and what he sees as an impending institutional rot within the nonprofit sector.
We talked about the importance of curiosity and courageous leadership in the sector, how leaders and organizations have abandoned bold relationship building in exchange for cheap and easy transactions, and how that very decision is leading to the decline of philanthropic impact in the U.S.
Key Takeaways:
- Courage and curiosity are essential traits for fundraisers and leaders in the nonprofit sector.
- The sector overall needs to focus on inspiration and transformation rather than transactions
- Treating every donor like a major donor and focusing on building strong relationships is crucial.
- Nonprofits need to adapt to the changing philanthropic landscape and address internal weaknesses.
- We must move from a focus on “gift getting” to relationship building
- Data-driven decision-making is important for understanding the state of philanthropy and making strategic changes.
- The sector may see a decline in the number of nonprofits, and organizations need to be prepared for change and long-term growth.
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